The Top 100 Most Important Names to Know in the 2012 NFL Season

The 2012 NFL season is about to get started, and those of us in the media world couldn't be happier. It seemed like we were waiting and waiting for the long months between the Super Bowl and the Hall of Fame Game this weekend to pass by.

But, it is here.

With that in mind, it is important for us to take a look at the individuals who will define the season around the NFL.

This article is going to give you a list of the top 100 figures around the National Football League that you should pay close attention to.

You will see some of the best players in the league, but you are also going to see some individuals who represent everything that is wrong with modern football. This article isn't just limited to those suiting up on Sunday's or coaches on the sidelines.

Rather, it is a broad view of the entire construct of the league entering what promises to be an amazing season.

100. Scott Hanson, Host, RedZone Channel

Courtesy of the Washington Post

What Scott Hanson does on a 17-week basis during the NFL season is simply amazing. Relying on a ton of producers and feeds from dozens of venues around the league, the talented host puts us in the middle of the action on a consistent basis.

This has to be one of the hardest jobs in professional sports, and I, for one, don't envy him.

What makes Hanson's story so much more interesting is his past and how much he has had to overcome to make a list like this and join the upper-echelon of the journalist community.

97. Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers

I didn't know that those two words meshed all too well with one another.

Say what you want about the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is as tough as nails on the football field. This is going to be an interesting storyline heading into the 2012 season. Can the Steelers offensive line holdup in protection of their franchise quarterback? Is he going to be able to play through serious injuries like we have seen in that past?

If your a Steelers' fan, you have to hope the answers to both of these questions are resounding yes's. After all, this team does not stand a chance to compete for a conference championship with him on the sidelines.

96. Rob Ryan, Defensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys

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It is time for Rob Ryan to step up and lead the Dallas Cowboys defense out of mediocrity. Widely acclaimed for his risk-taking and blitz-heavy defense, Ryan has failed to provide the necessary oomph for a unit that seems to have under-achieved throughout his one year tenured there.

Locker, a top 10 pick in 2011, seems to have both the talent and moxie to perform up to level as a starter this season. He looked really good in limited action last season and seems to have progressed during the offseason.

If Locker wins the starting job and performs up to the level that his talent indicates, the Titans could be looking at a playoff berth this season.

94. Matt Cassel, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

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It is funny how fans have such a short memory in the professional sports world. Matt Cassel is just one season removed from leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an AFC West Championship and accumulating some of the best numbers in the entire league.

93. Terrell Owens, Free Agent Wide Receiver

There are some who will tell you that Terrell Owens has burned his bridges around the National Football League—that he has played his final game of what should be a Hall of Fame career.

Those people don't have an understanding of the changing landscape within the league. Training camp injuries, unproductive players and other roster dynamics could seemingly open up a spot for Owens in the NFL.

Owens was said to be working out with both Carson Palmer and Drew Brees prior to the start of training camp last week. It doesn't appear that either the Oakland Raiders or New Orleans Saints have room on their roster for the enigmatic receiver.

That doesn't mean that Owens will not catch on with a NFL team. In fact, I expect him to be suiting up in the league prior to the season opener in September. If so, we all know it will be a rather big story.

92. Peter King, Writer, CNN Sports Illustrated

Courtesy of CNNSI

Peter King is one of the true professionals of the journalist community. For years now he has maintained a great balance between being a fan and staying objective with what he writes.

The CNNSI writer has a regular feature called "Monday Morning Quarterback" that takes a look at what happened the previous day around the National Football League. It is one of the most in-depth pieces of work you will read throughout a NFL season. If you haven't made it a regular read, I suggest you do so.

Johnson has way too much talent to put up similar numbers this season. He is going to have an improved passing attack with the addition of Kendall Wright in the draft and likely return of Kenny Britt, depending on his legal issues.

You can fully expect Johnson to challenge the 2,000-yard mark this season.

Phil Emery and Co. hope that they will rekindle this success after the general manager traded for the enigmatic Marshall prior to April's draft.

He gives Jay Cutler his first true No. 1 receiver since the quarterback joined the Chicago Bears in 2009. The mere presence of a consistent threat on the outside is going to help the Bears offense rebound from a disappointing and injury-riddled 2011 season.

89. Cris Collinsworth, Announcer, NBC Sports

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Cris Collinsworth has made a living with pretty intelligent insight and a strong voice during games. This was only magnified when he joined Al Michaels for Sunday Night Football on NBC a few years back.

That being said, he is somewhat of an enigmatic figure around the broadcasting world. From my own observations, he seems to favor some teams over others. This isn't the way you're supposed to go about business on national television. Instead, it is usually reserved for local radio broadcasts.

A prime example of this is his obvious attitude against the Dallas Cowboys when they played the New York Giants. This was magnified when the two teams played on Sunday night twice last season.

87. Kevin Kolb, Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

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Let's not focus on what the Arizona Cardinals gave up to acquire Kevin Kolb last season. I think we are past the point of making that judgment and need to move on to see how he can actually handle being a starting quarterback in the National Football League.

If 2011 was any indication, Kolb just isn't ready for prime-time.

He was, by all accounts, a disaster of a quarterback last season. Outside of the myriad of different injuries that Kolb had to suffer through, he was horrible when actually on the football field.

Despite there being a supposed open competition between Kolb and John Skelton for the Cardinals' starting quarterback position, I just think they have too much invested in the former to give up on him.

If so, Kolb will have one last chance to prove he can be a starter in the NFL.

83. Josh Gordon, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns

Courtesy of ESPN

According to the Akron Beacon-Journal,Josh Gordon was running with the Cleveland Browns' first team during the earliest parts of training camp. The second-round pick in July's supplemental draft gives the Browns some more talent at a wide receiver position that has been void of of it over the course of the last few seasons.

While Gordon has a fair share of off-field issues, there is no questioning his talent. In fact, he probably would have been a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

Gordon will help fellow rookie Brandon Weeden on the outside and could conceivably start opposite Greg Little.

This has a chance to be a big story either way. Cleveland gave up a second-round pick in order to draft Gordon, which is a pretty high price to pay. If the Baylor product produces a great deal as a rookie, that story will be relatively big.

82. Al Michaels, Announcer, NBC Sports

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Al Michaels has been a staple around the sports world for over a half-century now. He gave the play-by-play for the United States' Miracle on Ice Olympic victory in Lake Placid over the Soviet Union in 1980. The veteran broadcaster was also on hand for the 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics when the earthquake happened.

In regards to football, Michaels has also been a staple.

He manned the booth for Monday Night Football on ABC for two decades, joining the aforementioned John Madden to form one of the best tandems in the history of broadcasting. In 2006, Michaels joined Cris Collinsworth to form a solid duo for Sunday Night Football on NBC.

78. Kyle Shanahan, Offensive Coordinator, Washington Redskins

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The Washington Redskins have an entirely new dynamic on the offensive side of the ball with the selection of franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III in April's draft. His addition represents the first time that Washington has had that type of signal-caller in over 25 years.

77. Jay Cutler, Quarterback, Chicago Bears

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It is my humble opinion that Jay Cutler has gotten a bad rap since he joined the Chicago Bears in 2009. The enigmatic starting quarterback has been sacked 110 times in 41 starts with the Bears during that span. Cutler has also been forced to work without an elite wide receiver on the outside.

While Chicago didn't do much to upgrade its offensive line, the front office did a great job finding targets for Cutler in the form of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

74. Gunther Cunningham, Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions

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Gunther Cunningham has been a solid defensive mind in the National Football League for the better part of the last two decades.

That being said, his defenses have struggled in each of the last four seasons, first with the Kansas City Chiefs and then with the Detroit Lions since 2009. They haven't finished in the top half of the league in scoring defense in any of those four seasons, including a No. 23 ranking last season.

If the Lions are to make that jump towards elite status, their defense is going to have to step it up a great deal in 2012.

73. Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

Justin Blackmon is the only 2012 first-round pick currently unsigned. He joined Maurice Jones-Drew as two players the Jacksonville Jaguars were relying on a great deal who aren't in camp right now.

This comes on the heels of the talented young receiver being arrested for a DUI shortly after the draft in April.

Really not a good start for his NFL career.

Blackmon needs to show up to camp and make an immediate impact in order for the Jaguars to justify his selection in the top 10. Otherwise, you will quickly be hearing the "bust" label thrown around relatively early in his career.

72. Chris Berman, Host, ESPN

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"He could go all the way" is a term that I grew up with. Chris Berman wasn't anywhere near the hack that many people suggest he is when I was growing up. I really did enjoy NFL Prime Time on ESPN to finish off football Sunday.

As I have grown and matured, Berman's antics have started to get on my nerves.

As it is, he is one of the most popular figures in the world of professional sports.

71. Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, New York Jets

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As one of the best cover guys in the history of the National Football League, Darrelle Revis has made a name for himself in a relatively short career. The term "Revis Island" has been thrown around on a consistent basis. Despite the respect that the New York Jets corner receives, quarterbacks still make the decision to go in his direction, mostly to their own demise.

69. Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers

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You cannot place the blame for the San Diego Chargers' lack of success the last two seasons on Philip Rivers. He is, by far, their best player.

That being said, Rivers is the quarterback of a franchise that continues to under-perform every season. He also struggled a great deal with untimely mistakes and wasn't anywhere near as clutch last season as we have seen in the past.

Rivers needs to revert back to 2010 form if the Chargers are going to live up to lofty expectations in 2012. Another disappointing season for the Pro Bowl quarterback and there will be questions about his leadership ability.

68. Dennis Allen, Head Coach, Oakland Raiders

At first glance it seems that Mark Davis followed in his father's footsteps by bringing in another young head coach to lead this fledgling Oakland Raiders franchise.

That is just at first glance.

Reggie McKenzie, one of the most respected talent observers in the league, was brought on by the Raiders to run their front office.

McKenzie's first order of business was to find a head coach. After a lengthy round of interviews, he settled on former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

Expectations don't seem to be too high in Oakland, which gives Allen some time. That being said, they do have the talent, and a change in the culture could lead this franchise to a surprising playoff run.

67. Jim Irsay, Owner, Indianapolis Colts

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Jim Irsay made the difficult decision to release future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. In reality, the decision was made for him when the Indianapolis Colts earned the No. 1 overall pick and Andrew Luck declared for the 2012 NFL draft.

Still, it had to be difficult for the popular owner of the Colts.

Now Indianapolis and Irsay move forward with a new quarterback looking to turn the page from their successful run with Manning at the helm.

65. Bob Costas, Announcer, NBC Sports

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Some say Bob Costas is full of himself on air. Others, such as myself, enjoy the brand that he brings to the table in both Inside the NFL and on Sunday Night Football. He is one of the last true trendsetters in the broadcasting world.

From Major League Baseball to the Olympics to the National Football League, Costas is a household name in the United States.

His "Do you believe it?" remark in a regular-season game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals put Costas on the map. He hasn't strayed away from national prominence in the quarter-century that has followed.

64. Jason Garrett, Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys

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Make no mistake about it, the Dallas Cowboys have the talent to compete for a conference championship in the NFC. They added two top-tier cornerbacks in the form of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne to solidify what was a weakness in 2011.

DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin make up a fearsome foursome at the skill positions on offense.

Oh, and Tony Romo is coming off the best season of an already solid NFL career.

In short, there really aren't any excuses here for Jason Garrett. Entering his second full season as the Cowboys coach, Garrett has to show Jerry Jones that he can lead this team to the postseason.

If it doesn't happen, he could be getting his walking papers come January.

63. Marshawn Lynch, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks

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It doesn't appear that Marshawn Lynch is going to be suspended for his recent DUI arrest. This is tremendous news for the Seattle Seahawks considering just how much he meant to their offense last season.

That being said, this recent bout with the law is going to place Lynch under the microscope. He is only a few years removed from issues with the Buffalo Bills and was known as a malcontent with Cal in college.

62. Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, Annoyances, ESPN

Courtesy of ESPN

In terms of hackish media personalities, there aren't many on the same level as Skip Bayless. This is a dude who earns his living making incendiary and outlandish remarks about professional sports players the world over.

Stephen A. Smith might be the perfect counteraction to Bayless, but most of the time their interactions come off more like a debate reserved for Fox News or MSNBC.

In reality I completely tune out when those two are on ESPN. However, ratings suggest the sports world enjoy their banter.

60. Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End, New York Giants

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Could we be looking at the single-season sack record being broken in 2012? Numerous players seem to have the opportunity to amass the 22.5 that Michael Strahan boasted in 2001. Jared Allen, DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and Aldon Smith come to mind.

That being said, I would have to conclude that Jason Pierre-Paul has a better opportunity to break that record in 2012.

The young pass-rusher is an extremely good all-around talent. He plays the run extremely well and can even drop back into coverage. This means that the former first-round pick will be on the field a lot more than those aforementioned players.

Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor make up one of the most talented secondaries in the league. Seattle's front four is absolutely stacked after adding both Bruce Irvin and Jason Jones to the mix.

This has the makings to be one of the top units in 2012. If that is the case, Seattle should challenge for a postseason birth.

58. Mark Dominik, General Manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed front office philosophy a great deal this offseason by spending a record amount of money in free agency. Carl Nicks, Vincent Jackson and Eric Wright were all added at need positions.

In the process, Tampa Bay made it clear it wants to contend for a playoff spot this season after an extremely disappointing 2011 season.

Mark Dominik definitely put his butt on the line with these signings. He made a clear point to the Glazer brothers that he was going to field a contending team in 2012.

If the Buccaneers fail to meet expectations, especially after using Raheem Morris as a scapegoat last year, Dominik could find himself on the way out.

57. Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

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Much like what I covered in the Mike Smith slide, Matt Ryan needs to start proving himself in the postseason. While a majority of the Atlanta Falcons' struggles in the second season cannot be placed on the talented quarterback, he still needs to take a leadership role in crunch time.

56. Michelle Beisner, Reporter, NFL Network

It doesn't hurt that when you tune in to the NFL Network, you see this blonde beauty there on the screen. It also helps that Michelle Beisner is a pretty damn good reporter for that network.

She has a tremendous knowledge of football, engages in entertaining interviews and seems to be truly excited about the game of football. This during an era when many reporters seem to be nothing more than uninteresting stooges working a nine-to-five job.

55. Jed York, CEO, San Francisco 49ers

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San Francisco 49ers' fans were not too happy when Jed York gained control of the franchise a few years back. To most fans it was a bitter pill to swallow considering that Jed's mother had gained control of the 49ers from the beloved Eddie DeBartolo after a tremendous legal and league battle.

The younger York didn't do too much to endure himself to the fan base following a couple disappointing seasons.

Working behind the scenes, York was able to come to an agreement on a new stadium in Santa Clara. He cleaned house in terms of both the front office and coaching staff.

The result was a surprising 13-3 season in 2011, a new stadium on the horizon and a first-class organization that fans had been accustomed to in the 1980s and 1990s.

In short, York has to be considered one of the best young owners in the professional sports world.

53. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots

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From 2006 to 2008, the New England Patriots enjoyed a tremendous amount of success under the tutelage of Josh McDaniels on offense. They never finished outside of the top 10 in either points scored or yardage gained.

Needless to say, the stock watch was on for McDaniels, who would end up being hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. We all know how that story unfolded.

He now returns to New England in order to rekindle the success that the Patriots saw in that three-year span last decade. With the weapons that the Patriots have on offense, it is hard to imagine him not succeeding.

It was, however, to be expected. Gabbert was making a steep transition from the spread offense in Missouri, didn't have a whole lot of help at receiver and was failed by the labor strife in the NFL.

In total, it was hard to imagine him having any success heading into his rookie season.

The same can pretty much be said in 2012. Maurice Jones-Drew is currently in the midst of a holdout that promises to extend deep into training camp, if not longer. The Jacksonville Jaguars' initial selection of April's draft, Justin Blackmon, remains the only unsigned rookie in the league.

In short, Jacksonville doesn't seem like it has put Gabbert in a situation to succeed.

It is important to note that things aren't running as smoothly in Pittsburgh as we have seen in previous seasons. Ben Roethlisberger was battered to a pulp last season, Rashard Mendenhall promises to miss a good chunk this season, and long-time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has been replaced by former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. Oh, and No. 1 wide receiver Mike Wallace is currently in the midst of a bitter holdout.

If Tomlin can turn the Steelers into Super Bowl contenders with these type of distractions, he should definitely get some play for NFL Coach of the Year.

49. Jay Gruden, Offensive Coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals

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What Jay Gruden did for the Cincinnati Bengals offense was nothing short of amazing. While they didn't do anything spectacular, the Bengals offense clicked considering that both their leading passer and leading receivers were rookies.

Gruden put them in that situation to succeed with his play-calling ability and understanding of what each player does well and tends to struggle with.

It is now time for the Bengals to take that next step on offense. An entire offseason in a new scheme will definitely help the youngsters more in 2012. You can also fully expect Gruden to open up a somewhat conservative offense this year.

47. Mikel Leshoure, Running Back, Detroit Lions

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Mikel Leshoure is an interesting figure around the National Football League. The young running back missed his entire 2011 rookie season with a torn left Achilles, a damaging blow to the Detroit Lions prior to the start of the year.

This is an ominous way to start his NFL career. That being said, he has a tremendous amount of talent if he can ever actually get on the football field. We all know the Lions need that consistent presence behind Matthew Stafford on offense. Maybe Leshoure will provide that upon his return.

46. Pete Carroll, Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll might be one of the most uplifting figures in the entire professional sports world. His lighthearted attitude and buddy, buddy mentality seem to get the best out of his players.

Unfortunately, this hasn't translated to success on the football field.

After two mediocre stops with the New York Jets and New England Patriots late last century, Carroll made the wise decision to return to the college football ranks. We all know how that story played out in Southern California.

Yearning for another shot in the NFL, he agreed to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks prior to the start of the 2010 season.

Despite winning just seven games in his initial season, Seattle was able to capture a dreadful NFC West and actually defeated the then defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in the playoffs.

Momentum was lost during the lockout.

Seattle again won seven games last season, this time finishing six games behind the pace-setting San Francisco 49ers. This franchise is going to have to get over the proverbial bubble and contend for not just a winning season, but a postseason spot if Carroll's job is going to be safe long-term.

45. Michael Vick, Quarterback, Philadephia Eagles

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When I look at our football team and what we have on paper, I think about when I was growing up and the great San Francisco 49er teams, the great Green Bay Packer teams, and the great Dallas Cowboy teams, how they just positioned themselves to compete and be one of the best teams out there...I think we have a chance to be that. I think we have a chance to develop a dynasty.

There is something inherently wrong with this comment. First , the Philadelphia Eagles are coming off one of their most disappointing seasons in recent history. Secondly, Vick has yet to win a single playoff game in three seasons with the franchise. Finally, the enigmatic quarterback is no longer a spring chicken at the age of 32.

He might want to actually accomplish something when it matters before comparing the Eagles to those three great teams of yesteryear.

Are the Eagles talented? Of course. Do they have a chance at winning the Super Bowl in 2012? Definitely.

That isn't the point. Rather, Vick and the Eagles should do their talking on the football field, where it actually counts.

44. Bill Belichick, Head Coach, New England Patriots

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Want to talk about a dynasty? Maybe Michael Vick should look northeast to Massachusetts where Bill Belichick has built one of the only long-lasting dynasties in the modern era of the professional sports world.

New England doesn't appear to be heading towards the dustpan of history either. They reloaded a weak defense, added weapons for Tom Brady on offense and appear to be the clear favorites to win the AFC heading into 2012.

43. David DeCastro, Guard, Pittsburgh Steelers

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A rookie being the only offensive lineman on this list might not seem to make a whole lot of sense to my readers, but let me explain.

David DeCastro is the best guard prospect to enter the National Football League in over a quarter-century. He is going to be able to come in and immediately help protect Ben Roethlisberger in the passing game, while opening up holes for the committee of running backs that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to use in 2012.

In short, the Stanford product will be an All-Pro guard as a rookie in 2012.

42. Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson would be on this list even if he weren't battling a devastating knee injury that forced the talented running back to rehab all offseason.

The heart-and-soul of the Minnesota Vikings is one of the best players at this position and will again reign among the elite running backs in the league once he returns.

Peterson is going to be big news because spectators are going to look long and hard at any long-term effects from his torn ACL and MCL last season. Skeptics will conclude that Peterson has lost a step if he doesn't perform up to snuff early in the season. Apologists will blame rustiness for his ineffectiveness.

However, if Peterson returns like the player we saw in 2010, the NFL world will take notice once again.

This all changed following a tremendous late-season run to the Lombardi Trophy in 2007 as Manning led the Giants from the brink of elimination to the holy grail in just the matter of a few weeks.

He did the same last season as New York won its second championship in five seasons. However, one thing changed. Manning became the unquestioned leader and face of the franchise. His performance in 2011 is something for the history books.

40. Jeff Ireland, General Manager, Miami Dolphins

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It is interesting to see how the Miami Dolphins fans handle Jeff Ireland if the team finishes in the cellar in the AFC East, as expected this season.

They haven't been too kind to the general manager since he took over the front office in 2008. What has followed is a consistently under-performing football team and lackluster management from the powers to be in Miami.

Ireland and Co. set their sights on Peyton Manning before focusing on Matt Flynn and then eventually turning to Alex Smith. None of those three quarterbacks decided to go to South Beach.

Instead, Miami was forced to sign David Garrard and reach for Ryan Tannehill in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Any sign of regression from a team that won six games last season could easily be the end of Ireland's regime in Miami.

Foster returns to the Houston Texans and is looking to build off this success in 2012. More importantly, he is looking to help them contend for a conference championship as one of the best teams in the AFC.

There will not be an excuse for Jones and Co. if they fail to miss the postseason again in 2012. This team has the talent to contend for a conference championship. It is now up to the players on the field to perform up to level.

While that doesn't have a whole lot to do with Jones, he is the one who built this roster as it is currently assembled.

37. Brandon Weeden, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

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Brandon Weeden is going to face a certain amount of pressure as a rookie starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2012. The primary reason for this is due to the recent lack of success for a franchise that has quickly become a laughing stock around the league.

The 2012 first-round pick is going to face an uphill battle. He doesn't have the necessary weapons on the outside to succeed and really hasn't been put in the position to lead the Browns out of the cellar in a stacked AFC North division.

36. Adam Schefter, Insider, ESPN

What do I say about Adam Schefter? The simple fact that he has nearly 1.7 million Twitter followers should speak volumes in regards to his popularity around the world of football.

The ESPN insider seems to be the guy to whom NFL players, agents and teams go to first when news breaks. In fact, I keep his Twitter page open when big events around the league are taking place. In short, it isn't news until Schefter breaks it.

35. Rex Ryan, Head Coach, New York Jets

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I guess it's illogical to use the "his mouth is as big as his stomach" card as it relates to Rex Ryan. The New York Jets head coach has lost 100 pounds over the course of the last year, which indicates that his mouth is definitely larger.

I guess it is a perfect fit for the media-frenzied spotlight of New York City.

This was followed by a disastrous 2011 season that saw the Jets fall apart in the locker room and on the football field, missing the postseason completely.

While Ryan's seat might not be incredibly hot, it is definitely getting warmer. Adding more fuel to the fire is the addition of Tim Tebow. As always, the Jets are going to be an interesting bunch in 2012. That being said, they need to return to the postseason for Ryan's seat to get a bit cooler.

The primary concern for Bryant heading into the 2012 season is his recent bout with the law. The receiver was arrested for domestic abuse on his mother after this alarming 911 call was made to authorities. While prosecutors haven't pressed charges, it speaks volumes in regards to his character off the field.

32. Brian Quick, Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams

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Brian Quick is going to be a No. 1 wide receiver in the National Football League. It is just a matter of when it is going to happen for the St. Louis Rams' rookie. He has the talent and physical ability to absolutely dominate on the outside.

Additionally, there is a major gap in the Rams' receiving group that needs to be filled relatively quickly.

My assumption is that Quick takes over as Sam Bradford's top target in 2012 and reaches that rare 1,000-yard receiving mark for a rookie.

Randy Moss absolutely has something left. If he stays healthy, five weeks from now I think you're going to see Randy Moss as a contributing player on a playoff offense.

The 49ers coaches have also been quick to praise Moss. If the talented receiver is able to regain anywhere near the form we saw with the New England Patriots just a few years back, San Francisco's offense quickly become a strength, not a weakness.

29. Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver, New York Giants

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Victor Cruz had one of the most surprising seasons in recent NFL history for a wide receiver. In his first season seeing sustained action on offense for the New York Giants, the talented wide receiver absolutely dominated opposing cornerbacks on the outside.

In fact, he was one of the only reasons that Dallas remained in the playoff race up until the final week of the season.

Romo and the Cowboys are, once again, facing lofty expectations and criticism from the national media. Will they be able to make the postseason? Will they live up to the talent that the team seems to possess? These are two questions that have and will continue to define Romo.

27. Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, New York Jets

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Up until the 2011 season, Mark Sanchez, although not putting up great statistics, was considered a winner. He led the New York Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship game appearances in his first two seasons in the league.

Then 2011 came along. There were expectations that Sanchez would be able to take his game to the next level and lead the Jets to the conference championship. This simply did not happen.

Now the onus is on the quarterback to prove his skeptics, myself included, wrong. He needs to take his game from pedestrian levels (73.2 career quarterback rating) and become one of the reasons why the Jets earn a postseason berth after a one-year hiatus.

26. LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles

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LeSean McCoy took the top spot in my initial fantasy football rankings heading into the 2012 season. While this isn't indicative of his success on the football field as it relates to helping the Philadelphia Eagles win games, it does show exactly how important the talented running back is to his team.

25. Shahid Khan, Owner, Jacksonville Jaguars

Shahid Khan took over operations of the Jacksonville Jaguars in January of this year. His expectations were clear: Keep the franchise in Florida and bring the fans a winning team.

This was met with unbridled enthusiasm from their fan base. However, that has since turned into skepticism as it seems the former auto industry mogul might not be ready to enter the prime time of the NFL.

Taking somewhat of a hands-on approach, Khan is leading an organization that continues to play hardball with its players.

Maurice Jones-Drew is currently in the midst of what could become a lengthy holdout. 2012 first-round pick Justin Blackmon is the only rookie to not sign a contract, and Khan nearly acquired Tim Tebow, much to the chagrin of general manager Gene Smith.

Overstepping your bounds as a new owner in the NFL will give you a bad reputation around the league.

24. Doug Martin, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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It has been widely noted that Doug Martin will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starting running back in 2012. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering that they traded back into the first round for his services.

The Boise State star possesses all the necessary skills to be a dominating back in the National Football League. He has excellent field vision in the backfield, breaks through the line quickly, has soft hands and can already pass-protect.

There is no reason to believe that Martin cannot amass 1,500 total yards and earn a Pro Bowl appearance as a rookie. This is how good he is.

20. Alex Smith, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

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Alex Smith was nothing more than a bust prior to a surprising 2011 campaign. He had failed to live up to expectations in each of his first six seasons in the NFL, and the San Francisco 49ers continued to be mired in or near the cellar in the NFC West.

Things changed a great deal with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh and the change of culture in Santa Clara.

Smith led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and an overtime loss in the NFC Championship game, just one touchdown away from the Super Bowl.

In the process, he was historically good in terms of limiting mistakes and coming from behind late in games.

Now that the 49ers are considered one of the favorites to win the Lombardi Trophy in 2012, Smith must step up his game.

The up-and-coming quarterback, who is still only 28 by the way, needs to become a reason why the 49ers offense improves on a pedestrian 2011 season. If Smith doesn't progress, San Francisco could find themselves disappointed come January once again.

The young receiver is currently holding out and refusing to sign his restricted free-agent tender. Things between Wallace and the Steelers have gotten contentious as of late with the club cutting off negotiations.

17. Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions

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Calvin Johnson wasn't just good last season; the dude was an absolute beast. Despite showing flashes of inconsistency with 18 receptions in a four-game span, Johnson was dominating pretty much the entire season.

In reality, his statistics seemed more like Jerry Rice on steroids.

Over the course of the Detroit Lions' final four games, including the postseason, Johnson accumulated 36 receptions for 771 yards and six touchdowns—probably one of the greatest month-long stretches for a receiver in the history of the league.

16. John Elway, Vice President, Denver Broncos

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Upon bringing brought on as the top executive for the Denver Broncos, a team that he had led to multiple Super Bowl championships as a quarterback, John Elway set the goal of returning this franchise to prominence.

It didn't quite turn out that way, as he seemed to have internal struggles with unorthodox quarterback Tim Tebow. Their relationship, although civil, would come to a boiling point this offseason.

Denver reached for the stars in the form of Peyton Manning and came back aces. In the process, they had to find a suitor for Tebow.

Now that Elway has his quarterback, expectations are extremely high in Denver. It is going to be Super Bowl or bust for the next few seasons, and Elway's legacy as an executive might depend on the arm of the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

14. Andy Reid, Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles

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I was one of the few who thought Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles would part ways following a disastrous 2011 season. There comes a time in every professional relationship where the two sides just have to move on.

13. Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Washington Redskins

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Robert Griffin III was absolutely amazing for the Baylor Bears last season. His performance on a weekly basis left many awe-struck and pretty much came out of nowhere to the common college football fan.

This doesn't mean that the talented quarterback was a one-year wonder.

He has always possessed the necessary talent to be a dominating signal-caller. It all just seemed to come together nicely in 2011.

RGIII now joins the Washington Redskins, who traded a stockpile of picks to move up to the No. 2 overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft to nab him.

The electricity is apparent around the capital city, and it should be. While we might not be looking at a postseason appearance for Washington this season, it is all but guaranteed that the Redskins got the Pro Bowl quarterback they have been seeking for a great while now.

12. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

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You couldn't possibly think Andrew Luck would be left off this list. The former Stanford All-American was not only the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the 2012 NFL draft, many people concluded that he was the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning entered the league in 1998.

Speaking of Manning, the Indianapolis Colts have called on Luck to replace the future Hall of Fame quarterback and move the franchise forward.

He is now in the spotlight for a less-than-stellar reason. Steelers No. 1 wide receiver Mike Wallace is holding out for a long-term contract, and as noted before, Colbert is remaining strong in his stance. This is just another sign of a great organization.

I am not sure how this is going to turn out, but both sides don't exactly look too great in the media. Jones-Drew signed an extension just over three years ago and should live up to it. The Jaguars need their best player on the field in order to resemble anything close to a legit football team.

Yet the warning signs for a lengthy contract dispute seem to be right in front of our face.

Detroit is now looking to take that next step towards conference championship contention.

That being said, a wide array of offseason arrests has seemed to tarnish the momentum that we saw last season. Moreover, the Lions must get better on the defensive side of the ball if they're going to compete with the class of the NFC.

8. Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

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2011 was a storybook season for Jim Harbaugh in his first year as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers The former NFL quarterback and Stanford head coach took over a team that was loaded with talent but consistently failed to live up to expectations over the course of the last few seasons.

He showed trust in Alex Smith, who was considered nothing more than a bust. He changed the culture in San Francisco.

In the process, the 49ers returned to glory after more than a decade in mediocrity. Harbaugh led them to 13 wins and a NFC Championship game appearance.

The pressure is on now. San Francisco will not be flying under the radar in 2012. Rather, the 49ers are going to be the hunted in what promises to be an improved NFC West and a talent-laden conference. Anything short of bringing home a sixth Lombardi Trophy to Northern California will be considered a disappointment.

7. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

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Finally, the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees were able to come to terms on a long-term contract extension. A lot of people around the football world were actually starting to talk about him walking following the 2012 season.

No need to worry about that anymore.

Despite the disastrous offseason for New Orleans, Brees remains that one constant. As long as he is the quarterback of that franchise, they have a chance to contend for a Super Bowl.

6. Joe Vitt, Interim Head Coach, New Orleans Saints

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Speaking of the New Orleans Saints, they're going to be without one of the best head coaches in the business this season. Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 year for his alleged role in Bountygate.

4. Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton dazzled fans with his superb play as a rookie in 2011. In doing so, he made fans all over the world of professional football.

Statistically speaking, it was the greatest rookie season for any quarterback in the history of the league. Yes, the history of the league.

In terms of success, it was even greater. Newton helped the Carolina Panthers triple their win output from the previous season and brought fans back to the franchise after it appeared owner Jerry Richardson was hellbent on destroying the trust between the organization and the individuals in charge of paying the checks, the fans.

Can Newton take that next step towards elite status? Will he lead the Panthers back to the postseason? I am banking on it being more than a one-year process, but they will get there with this talented quarterback at the helm.

3. Randy Lerner, Owner, Cleveland Browns

On the opposite end of the popularity spectrum is Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner, who continues to run a franchise that has become the laughing stock of the league.

Fear not, Ohioans, the long state-wide nightmare that has been the Browns franchise might be taking a turn for the better.

Lerner is currently in negotiations with the aforementioned Jimmy Haslam to sell a majority share of the Browns. Despite the fact that Haslam is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, this has to calm the nerves of a Browns' fan base that seems to expect losing seasons on a consistent basis.

There comes a time when a franchise must scrap everything and start anew. That time surely is now for the Browns.

2. Tim Tebow, Quarterback, New York Jets

I know, I know. It seems that I am becoming brainwashed by the mainstream sports media here. After all Tim Tebow is nothing more than a backup quarterback in the NFL. Right?

Well, that isn't entirely the case.

The physically gifted football player has become a cultural icon in the United States. He seems to transcend the entire landscape of professional sports. In fact, there will come a time in our lives where there is going to be mentions of him running for high political office.

Don't question or fight this; it is going to happen at some point.

Lost in all the hoopla surrounding Tebow is the simple fact that he is one of the great guys in the sports world. What he does on a consistent basis through the ideology of altruism seems to have been ignored by the media and fans alike.

I, for one, am extremely happy he this high on this list. Sure the heck beats the idea of putting another athlete with major character concerns ahead of him.

1. Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

Talk about a polarizing figure. Some people absolutely love what Roger Goodell has done since becoming the commissioner of the National Football League in 2006. Others absolutely despise the "tyrant."

Well, let's take a look at it for a second.

The NFL has enjoyed one of its most prosperous six-year runs in the history of the league since Goodell took over. He has started to create a process of responsibility and accountability for player conduct and was able to avoid a long-term lockout prior to the start of the 2011 season by working with NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith.

Moreover, Goodell has helped put the league into a situation where it is going to expand far beyond the entertainment industry. If it wasn't before, the NFL has become an American brand. Super Bowl Sunday is a now a de facto national holiday, and it is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe.

Can't ask for much more than that.

Despite all this, Goodell seems to face the wrath of many within every sector of the football world, and for good reason. His heavy-handed approach does seem a bit tyrannical. He has served as the leader of a league that refuses to take responsibility for the transgressions of its past, mainly the treatment of retired players.

Football needs fixing on a wide array of different levels, and I hope Goodell recognizes the true nature of these issues.